loved by the great Emperor Charles V. whor Valdesso had followed as a cavalier all the time of

"or four times in those languages; it seemeth to me a reasonable "and charitable design to print them now in English, without "any alteration at all from the Italian copy, the Spanish being "either not at all extant, or not easy to be found. It is certain "that the book containeth many worthy discourses of experi "mental and practical divinity, well expressed, and elegantly "illustrated, especially concerning the doctrines of justification " and mortification: and yet, notwithstanding, there be some "few expressions and similitudes in it, at which not only the “weak reader may stumble, and the envious quarrel; but also "the wise and charitable reader may justly blame. To have " removed these few stumbling-blocks, or offensive passages by "leaving them out, or by altering them, had not been the work " of a translator, but of an author; besides the ill example of "altering ancient authors, which is one of the greatest causes of "the corruption of truth and learning. Therefore, it hath been thought fit to print the book according to the author's own "copy, but withall to give particular notice of some suspicious "places, and of some manifest errors which follow, particularly "expressed in the ensuing pages; referring the rest, if any there “be, to the judgment of the reader. He lived where the scrip “tures were in no reputation; and, therefore, no marvel that he "should speak so slightly of them; but rather, on the contrary, "it may seen a marvellous thing in our ages to have a states"man in those parts at that time so far illuminated and taught "of God as he was. May it please the divine Goodness, that "every reader may reap the like comfort and profit to his soul, "as the translator and publisher humbly and thankfully ac "knowledge that they have done, and they have their main "scope and aim in publishing it!"

Prefixed to "The Considerations" is also an Address from Calius Secundus Curio to the Reader, in which we have the following account of Valdesso: "These Considerations, as many "well know, were first written by the author in the Spanish

"language;

his long and dangerous wars; and when Valdesso grew old, and grew weary both of war and the

"language; but afterward, by a certain pious and worthy person, "translated into Italian. Yet have they not been able altogether "to quit those forms of speech which are proper to Spain. “John Valdesso was by nation a Spaniard, of noble kindred, of "an honourable degree, and a resplendent Chevalier of the "Emperor, but a much more honourable and resplendent "Chevalier of Christ. True it is, he did not much follow the "court after that Christ had revealed himself to him; but abode " in Italy, spending the greatest part of his life at Naples, where "with the sweetnesse of his doctrine, and the sanctity of his life, "he gained many disciples unto Christ; and especially among "the gentlemen and cavaliers, and some ladies, he was very "eminent and praise-worthy in all kinds of praise. It seemed "that he was appointed by God for a teacher and pastor of "noble and illustrious personages: although he was of such "benignity and charity, that he accounted himself debtor of his " talents to every rude and mean person, and became all things " to all men, that he might gaine all to Christ: and not this "alone, but he gave light to some of the most famous preachers "in Italy, which I very well know, having conversed with them ❝ themselves.

"He never had a wife, but lived most continently; nor did he "attend to ought else, as much as he could, than unto mortifica"tion, in which death overtaking him, he became perfectly "mortified, so as to be perfectly quickened in the resurrection of "the just, and to enjoy our Lord Christ. He died in Naples "about the year 1540. He hath left behind also certaine other "good and pious compositions, which, as I hope, shall by Ver"gerius his meanes be communicated unto you."

Subjoined to "The Considerations" is an Epistle written by Valdesso "to Lady Dona Julia de Gonzaga," to whom he dedicates "A Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans." It appears that along with this Commentary he sent to her all St. Paul's

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world, he took his fair opportunity to declare to the Emperor, that his resolution was to decline his Majesty's service, and betake himself to a quiet and contemplative life, because there ought to be a vacancy of time betwixt fighting and dying. The Emperor had himself for the same, or other like reasons, put on the same resolution: But God and himself did, till then, only know them; and he did therefore desire Valdesso to consider well of what he had said, and to keep his purpose within his own breast, till they two might have a second opportunity of a friendly discourse; which Valdesso promised to do.

In the mean time, the Emperor appoints privately a day for him and Valdesso to meet again, and after a pious and free discourse, they both agreed on a certain day to receive the blessed sacrament publicly, and appointed an eloquent and devout Friar to preach a sermon of contempt of the world, and of the happiness and benefit of a

St. Paul's Epistles, translated from the Greek into the ordinary Castilian language. He says, that he had before translated the Psalms of David from the original Hebrew, for her use; and he promises to furnish her with "The History of Christ," in the same language," at such time and manner as it shall please the Divine Majesty."

Mr. Isaac Walton in his "Complete Angler," p. 26, introduces a remark of Valdesso, whom he calls an ingenious Spaniard, " that rivers, and the inhabitants of the watery element, were "made for wise men to contemplate, and fools to pass by with"out consideration."

quiet and contemplative life, which the Friar did most affectionately. After which sermon, the Emperor took occasion to declare openly, "That "the preacher had begot in him a resolution to lay "down his dignities, and to forsake the world, and "betake himself to a monastical life "." And he pretended he had persuaded John Valdesso to do the like; but this is most certain, that after the Emperor had called his son Philip out of England, and resigned to him all his kingdoms, that then the Emperor and John Valdesso did perform their resolutions.

This account of John Valdesso I received from a friend, that had it from the mouth of Mr. Ferrar: And the reader may note, that in this retirement John Valdesso wrote his "Hundred and Ten "Considerations," and many other treatises of worth, which want a second Mr. Ferrar to procure and translate them.

After this account of Mr. Ferrar and John Valdesso, I proceed to my account of Mr. Herbert

Charles V. was desirous of expiating the many disorders of a life spent in continued wars, by devoting his last years to the service of God. He retired to the monastery of Saint Just, situated near Placentia, on the frontiers of Castile and Portugal. Is it not to be regretted that after his retirement he often expressed his sorrow for having observed the safe conduct, that he had formerly given to Luther, lamenting that he did not seize that reformer, to whom he had solemnly promised security? That bigotry must have been great indeed, which impelled a Christian Prince to lament in his last moments, that he had not violated the most sacred engagement.

and Mr. Duncon, who, according to his promise, returned from the Bath the fifth day, and then found Mr. Herbert much weaker than he left him: and, therefore, their discourse could not be long; but at Mr. Duncon's parting with him, Mr. Herbert spoke to this purpose: Sir, I pray give my "brother Ferrar an account of the decaying con"dition of my body, and tell him I beg him to "continue his daily prayers for me: And let him "know, that I have considered, that God only is "what he would be; and that I am, by his grace, "become now so like him, as to be pleased with "what pleaseth him; and tell him, that I do not

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repine, but am pleased with my want of health; "and tell him my heart is fixed on that place "where true joy is only to be found; and that I long to be there, and do wait for my appointed change with hope and patience."-Having said this, he did, with so sweet a humility as seemed to exalt him, bow down to Mr. Duncon, and, with a thoughtful and contented look, say to him, “Sir, "I pray deliver this little book to my dear brother

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Ferrar, and tell him, he shall find in it a picture "of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed "betwixt God and my soul, before I could sub"ject mine to the will of Jesus my Master; in "whose service I have now found perfect freedom; "desire him to read it; and then, if he can think "it may turn to the advantage of any dejected "poor soul, let it be made public; if not, let him "burn it; for I and it are less than the least of